Translation guide
A traditional Okinawan three-stringed instrument, similar to a banjo, covered with snakeskin.
Referring to the Okinawan sanshin itself.
The standard Japanese term for the Okinawan sanshin. This is the most common and direct way to refer to the instrument.
彼は三線を弾くのが上手です。
He is good at playing the sanshin.
沖縄で三線を買いました。
I bought a sanshin in Okinawa.
Literally 'snakeskin string instrument'. This term emphasizes the material and is sometimes used to distinguish it from other similar instruments, but is less common than 三線.
The jabisen is a traditional Okinawan instrument.